Rasmus Hojlund breaks Man Utd record with latest goals in Champions League

Rasmus Hojlund has set his first Manchester United record by hitting five goals in his first four Champions League games.

No United player has scored more in their first four outings for the club in European football's top competition. The previous record was held by Dimitar Berbatov, who scored four in his first two after joining from Spurs but drew blanks in his next two outings.

Less than three minutes were on the clock when Hojlund opened the scoring, tapping in a Scott McTominay cross. His second arrived just before the half-hour mark after Copenhagen keeper Kamil Grabara parried an Alejandro Garnacho effort, but the hosts went in level at half time after capitalising on the dismissal of Marcus Rashford to score twice when it became 11 vs 10.

United were then awarded a second-half penalty after a handball in the box, but Hojlund wasn't given the chance to complete his hat-trick. Instead, captain, Bruno Fernandes, stepped forward to fire them back in front.

Going into the game in Copenhagen, where he started his playing career, Hojlund needed two goals to draw level with Alvaro Morata at the top of the scoring charts for the Champions League group stage. The Spaniard also scored twice in gameweek four, helping Atletico Madrid beat Celtic 6-0.

Berbatov also hit a double in Denmark in his maiden European campaign with United, impressing in a 3-0 win at Aalborg. Hojlund could easily have had a first-half hat-trick in Copenhagen this time out, only for Grabara to push away his powerful effort.

In the lead-up to the match, former Man Utd star Rio Ferdinand sympathised with Hojlund. The striker had a frustrating afternoon against Fulham over the weekend, with his wait for a first Premier League goal continuing.

"“Ruud van Nistelrooy more or less had Cristiano Ronaldo in tears almost one day, saying, ‘How can I make my runs when you don’t cross the ball?’" Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel. "That’s how Hojlund must feel right now with the wide players he’s playing with.

“The difference was Ruud was the main guy in our team, the main goal getter, he had the experience, the gravitas, he could pull up young guys and say, ‘Oi put the ball in the box’ – and he said a lot more than that by the way. Hojlund ain’t that guy yet, he’s getting his feet under the table, unless he’s that guy who can pull people up…because he needs to.”

Hojlund will have a chance to kick on from his goals in Denmark when United take on Luton over the weekend. United could end the weekend as high as sixth if they win at Old Trafford and other results go in their favour.